Published: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 7:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 7:58 p.m.

Clouds gathered and rain threatened to fall in downtown Wilmington on Saturday afternoon, but the threat of wetness didn’t detract from the bevy of meals being cooked and served from food trucks in the Water Street parking lot.

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“This is a rain-or-shine event,” said Sue Cooley, a Southport resident who’d just sampled a cup of barbecue from the Poor Piggy’s truck. “It should be fine, as long as we don’t melt.”

Hundreds of people packed into the parking lot to sample local fare from six food trucks at Truck-a-ROO, a four-hour rally to support owners of the city’s mobile kitchens, who are seeking changes to city ordinances that would allow them to operate more freely downtown.

Under the current rules, food trucks can visit single locations for seven consecutive days or two consecutive weekends. After that, they can’t return for 45 days.

The city’s planning commission is considering changes that would give food truck owners a more comprehensive and flexible set of guidelines. Members are expected to vote on the matter at a July 10 meeting, making a recommendation to the city council, which will then vote on the proposal.

“The food trucks just wanted a set of rules that were consistent, that they knew how to operate,” said Brett Keeler, one of the event’s organizers. “Truck-a-ROO is the food trucks coming together as one to show solidarity, and try to get support from the public to show the city that it’s something the community wants and is good for the economy.”

Admission to the parking lot was free; once inside, hungry guests could purchase a $10 punch-card ticket, guaranteeing them a small taste from each truck. Selections ranged from lobster bisque with North Carolina shrimp (Catch restaurant’s truck) to barbecued beef brisket sliders with sweet and spicy pickle relish (Patty Wagon), though full meals were also available for purchase.

Food lines quickly swelled, zigzagging across the parking lot as customers vied to taste a dish from both the truck-only kitchens (Patty Wagon and Webo’s Down Home Cooking) as well as the units affiliated with brick-and-mortar restaurants (Catch, Bollywood, Flaming Amy’s Sacred Burrito Bus). The food is part of the lure, chefs said, but the truck itself also draws customers in.

“I think people want to come to Catch, but it’s more of a special-occasion type of place,” said Keith Rhodes, who owns the seafood restaurant with his wife, Angela. “The truck is very cost-effective and it gives you a taste of what you can expect. It’s more casual, and the price is right.”

The mobile aspect also helps, said Debbie Bowden, who attended the event with friends and began her meal at the Catch truck.

“They’re not stuck in one place on one side of town,” she said, “so everyone can try them.”

<p>Clouds gathered and rain threatened to fall in downtown Wilmington on Saturday afternoon, but the threat of wetness didn't detract from the bevy of meals being cooked and served from food trucks in the Water Street parking lot.</p><p>“This is a rain-or-shine event,” said Sue Cooley, a Southport resident who'd just sampled a cup of barbecue from the Poor Piggy's truck. “It should be fine, as long as we don't melt.”</p><p>Hundreds of people packed into the parking lot to sample local fare from six food trucks at Truck-a-ROO, a four-hour rally to support owners of the city's mobile kitchens, who are seeking changes to city ordinances that would allow them to operate more freely downtown. </p><p>Under the current rules, food trucks can visit single locations for seven consecutive days or two consecutive weekends. After that, they can't return for 45 days.</p><p>The city's planning commission is considering changes that would give food truck owners a more comprehensive and flexible set of guidelines. Members are expected to vote on the matter at a July 10 meeting, making a recommendation to the city council, which will then vote on the proposal. </p><p>“The food trucks just wanted a set of rules that were consistent, that they knew how to operate,” said Brett Keeler, one of the event's organizers. “Truck-a-ROO is the food trucks coming together as one to show solidarity, and try to get support from the public to show the city that it's something the community wants and is good for the economy.”</p><p>Admission to the parking lot was free; once inside, hungry guests could purchase a $10 punch-card ticket, guaranteeing them a small taste from each truck. Selections ranged from lobster bisque with North Carolina shrimp (Catch restaurant's truck) to barbecued beef brisket sliders with sweet and spicy pickle relish (Patty Wagon), though full meals were also available for purchase. </p><p>Food lines quickly swelled, zigzagging across the parking lot as customers vied to taste a dish from both the truck-only kitchens (Patty Wagon and Webo's Down Home Cooking) as well as the units affiliated with brick-and-mortar restaurants (Catch, Bollywood, Flaming Amy's Sacred Burrito Bus). The food is part of the lure, chefs said, but the truck itself also draws customers in.</p><p>“I think people want to come to Catch, but it's more of a special-occasion type of place,” said Keith Rhodes, who owns the seafood restaurant with his wife, Angela. “The truck is very cost-effective and it gives you a taste of what you can expect. It's more casual, and the price is right.”</p><p>The mobile aspect also helps, said Debbie Bowden, who attended the event with friends and began her meal at the Catch truck.</p><p>“They're not stuck in one place on one side of town,” she said, “so everyone can try them.”</p><p><i></p><p>Kate Elizabeth Queram: 343-2217</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @kate_goes_bleu</i></p>